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News of the Portuguese's departure began to circulate soon after the final whistle at San Siro, and Fonseca appeared to confirm he had coached the Rossoneri for the last time as he left the stadium, despite there being no official news from the club.

"Yes, I am leaving Milan. I've just learnt that I've been sacked as coach. That's life, it happens," he said from his car as he was stopped by media on his way out.

"My conscience is clear, I did everything I could."

Fonseca was sent off after protesting the official's failure to award a penalty when Tijjani Reijnders went down in the box just before half-time with the scores level at 1-1, but the referee waved play on.

VAR confirmed no foul had been committed, but Fonseca's fury was clear for all to see, and he saw red after a foul-mouthed tirade directed towards the match officials.

The 51-year-old had only been in charge at Milan since July, coming to the club after a high-profile search that saw many big names linked to the job.

He oversaw 12 victories, six draws and six defeats across all competitions, but it is Milan's position in eighth on the Serie A table that likely put his future at the club in jeopardy.

Milan is 12th on the UEFA Champions League's new 36-team table having managed four wins and two defeats from its six matches.

After the game, reports in the Italian media suggested Zlatan Ibrahimovic and other members of the Milan board had gone to the dressing rooms.

"Did I have a tough meeting with Zlatan?" Fonseca said when asked if he had spoken to the club's senior adviser and former player.

"No, I haven’t spoken to anyone. I haven't seen anyone from the club. I can't say anything more. I can't make up things that haven't happened.

"Never in my life have I been afraid in football. And I'll continue like this.

"For me it's important to always have a clear conscience: I work, I'm honest with those who work with me. I'm not afraid of anything."

The Rossoneri's next match is next weekend against Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and another Portuguese, Sergio Conceicao, has reportedly already been handed the coaching reins.